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Ford Explorer bolt may break and disconnect driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 23V675000 · Reported 2023-10-06 · Ford Motor Company

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Losing power on the road or having the vehicle roll away unexpectedly can both cause a crash, so keep driving only until you can get it repaired and always set the parking brake when you park.

What's wrong, in plain English

A bolt that holds the rear axle in place can crack and break. If it does, the driveshaft — the spinning bar that sends engine power to the rear wheels — can come loose. You could suddenly lose power while driving, or the vehicle could roll away on its own when parked if you did not set the parking brake. Dealers will replace the bolt and a nearby bushing, check the axle cover for damage, and replace it if needed, all at no cost.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your Explorer is included. 2. Schedule the free repair with a Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (recall 23S55). 3. Until it is fixed, always apply the parking brake when parking — the repair is free.

Affected vehicles (3)

2020 Ford Explorer
2021 Ford Explorer
2022 Ford Explorer

Who to contact

Ford — official Ford recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Ford transmission, driveshaft and wheel recalls: which ones are urgent? · all 55 Ford recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles. The rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
Safety risk: A disconnected driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the subframe bushing and rear axle bolt. They will also inspect the rear axle cover for damage near the bolt hole location and replace with a new cover if any damage is found. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S55.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.